Hidden adjustment means for a bed

ABSTRACT

A bed with adjustable articulated spring surfaces utilizes actuator assemblies concealed in the bed frame and which are connected to movable sections of the articulated surfaces to provide adjustment thereof. The spring surfaces are also vertically adjustable through bed frame corner support brackets that mask a cable and pulley assembly which raises and lowers the bed frame.

United States Patent [191 Paine HIDDEN ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR A BED [75]Inventor: G. William Paine, Manistee, Mich.

[731 Assignee: Joerns Furniture Company, Stevens Point, Wis.

22]v Filed: Aug. 12, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 496,512

[52] US. Cl 5/63; 5/66 [51] Int. Cl. A61G 07/10 [58] Field of Search5/63, 66-68 [56] v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,191,1956/1965 Schlackman et al 5/63 3,281,872 11/1966 Dewey 5/63 [45] Nov. 18,1975 Kerwit 5/66 Helton 5/63 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. NunbergAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [57]ABSTRACT A bed with adjustable articulated spring surfaces utilizesactuator assemblies concealed in the bed frame and which are connectedto movable sections of the articulated surfaces to provide adjustmentthereof. The spring surfaces are also vertically adjustable through bedframe corner support brackets that mask a cable and pulley assemblywhich raises and lowers the bed frame.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,919,727

Patent US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 Nb an vm. mm 06 Q0.

wq mow Um qh uh Gm om N0 N0 HIDDEN ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR A BED BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hospital beds and thelike and in particular to such beds having an articulated spring surfaceand means for adjusting the same to various positions.

Various means for adjusting bedsprings in beds have been developed. Manyof these adjustment means involve complicated assemblies that areclamped onto the frame of the bed. Such assemblies act to verticallyraise and lower the bed with respect to the floor and also to articulatesections of the spring surface with respect to one another.

Since attachment of the adjustment means to the bed frame detracts fromthe appearance of the bed and also decreases the amount of unobstructedarea around the bed, it is desirable to combine the bed adjustmentstructure with the already existing support structure of the bed.

Some prior art beds have attempted to place the adjustment components inthe frame structure itself, but only have been able to do so by usingrelatively complex adjustment means. In particular, the adjustment meansfor articulating the spring surface have been complex and not readilysuited for placement in the spring frame. Also, difficulties haveresulted when attaching the spring frame to the bed legs so as to allowready vertical movement of the bedsprings up and down along the bedsupport legs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a bed frame with an adjustment means for the springsurface which is relatively simple in operation and easily constructed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide adjustmentmeans of the type described which are highly compatible withconventional bed frames and easily integrated therewith and hiddentherein.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a comerbracket which attaches the spring frame to the bed legs and conceals thecable means which allows ready vertical movement of the spring surfacewith respect thereto.

These and other objects are accomplished in the present invention by abed with a spring surface having at least one movable spring sectionwith adjustment means for the spring surface concealed in the frame andfurther optionally including comer support brackets integrated with bedframe leg members and which conceal a means for vertical adjustment ofthe spring surface.

Preferably, the spring surface includes an intermedi ate or seat sectionrigidly secured to the bed frame, a head section pivotally connected tothe knee section, a knee section pivotally connected to the seat sectionand a foot section pivotally connected to the knee section. A pair ofactuator assemblies mounted in the side frame elements are accessiblefor operation at the foot end of the bed. Each of the actuatorassemblies preferably includes an integral stud thereon which provides ameans for securing the actuator within the bed frame element and forsecuring the frame element to a comer bracket affixed to the bed leg.

In the preferred embodiment, the bed is vertically adjustable by meansof a cable assembly that extends through the bed frame support structureto operate telescoping bed legs adjustably attached to the bed frame.The cables extend through corner support brackets at the head end of thebed and around a pulley concealed therein and into internal telescopingelements of the bed legs.

When it is desired to move the head or knee sections of the articulatedspring, the appropriate actuator assembly is used to move the respectivehead or knee section of the bed frame attached thereto into the desiredposition. When it is desired to vertically adjust the bed frame, cablesrunning through the bed frame support structure are either extended tolower the bed frame or tightened to raise the bed frame on the internaltelescoping member of the bed leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anadjustable bed incorporating the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the bed of FIG. 1 showing theadjustment means for the articulated spring surfaces and the adjustmentmeans for vertical movement of the bed frame;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical corner supportbracket at the head end of the bed frame;

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the actuatorassembly, side frame, and corner support bracket positioned at the footend of the bed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bed showing theadjustment means for the head section of the spring surface;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bed showing theadjustment means for the knee and foot section of the spring surface;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the bed frame andactuator assembly for the head section as viewed along plane VII-VII ofFIG. 5 with details omitted for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a side view taken along the plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 withportions of the structure broken away for clarity;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 7 asviewed along the plane IX--IX of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 taken along the plane X--X of FIG.9; and

FIG. 11 is an end view of a typical actuator assembly as viewed alongthe plane XI-XI of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. 1, an adjustable bed embodying the features ofthe invention is illustrated as comprising a main framework indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The frame is supported at eachend in a well-known manner by means of leg members 12 secured to theframework and telescopically engaging inner floor supported legs 14. Themain frame supports a normally horizontally disposed articulated springsurface 16 which comprises an intermediate or seat section 18 rigidlysecured to the frame, a head section 20 pivotally connected to theintermediate section at 21, a knee section 22 pivoted to the rigid seatsection 18 at 23 and a foot section 24 pivotally connected at 25 to theknee section 22. The

3 spring support framework to which seat section 18 is secured includesside rails 26, a transversely extending head frame assembly 28 and afoot frame assembly 30 which are interconnected by means of comerbrackets 32-32a fixed on legs 12 and to the side rails 26 to form anintegral assembly.

Corner brackets 3232a serve a dual purpose. Corner brackets 32-32aattached to leg members 12 at the head and foot frame assemblies 28 and30, respectively, provide both a convenient mounting means for the siderails with respect to the head frame 28 and the foot frame 30. Cornerbracket 32 at the head end of the bed also serves to conceal a cable 34and a pulley 36 positioned in brackets 32 operably interconnecting thecable 36 to the telescopic legs 14 at the head end of the bed. A typicalcable and pulley assembly at the head of the bed is shown in FIG. 3wherein connecting cable 34 passing over a pulley wheel 36 extends intoleg member 12 where it is attached to the upper portion of telescopiclegs 14. With reference to FIG. 2, the operative elements of the cableand pulley assembly are of fairly conventional construction and may beof the type as disclosed for example in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.3,281,872, issued Nov. 1, 1966 to Ronald D. Dewey entitled HOSPITAL BEDand incorporated herein by reference.

The main frame is vertically adjusted by means of cables 34 and pulleys36-36a mounted and concealed at the head and foot ends of the bed bymeans of a gear and pulley assembly 38 mounted on the base or footboard40 in a convenient manner. Each cable 34 is operably connected to gearand pulley assembly 38 and extends via pulleys 36 in corner brackets 32at the head frame assembly 28 into legs 12 where the cables 34 areconnected to the top portion of telescoping legs 14. Pulleys 36a areconcealed with the foot frame assembly in a manner similar to thatdisclosed in the above identified U.S. Pat. No. 3,281,872. As crank arm42 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is rotated, cables 34 are either extended orretracted lowering or raising legs 12 over the telescopic legs .14causing the bed frame to raise or lower as required. As will be apparentin the drawings, each corner bracket 32 and the footboard 40 act to maskthe gear and pulley assembly 38, cables 34 and pulleys 36-36a from view,so that the bed assembly resembles a conventional bed.

Movement of various sections of the articulated spring surface 16 isaccomplished by means of a pair of actuating elements 44 and 46positioned in side rails 26 on each side of the main frame 10 andaccessible at the footboard end of the bed. Actuators 44 and 46 areessentially identical in construction and are operated by folding crankarms 48 extending from the footboard end of the bed. Referring to FIGS.and 6, the articulated spring surface is mounted on frame by means ofside frame support brackets 50 which rigidly support and form theintermediate section 18 between head and knee sections and 22,respectively. Support brackets 50 are rigidly attached to side framemembers 26 in a conventional manner. Head section 20 is operablyconnected by means of a cable 52 (FIGS. 2 and 5) connected to a link arm54 at one end and passing over a pulley 56 where the opposite end of thecable is connected to actuator 44 concealed in side rail 26. Link arm 54is rigidly fixed to head section 20 for movement therewith and operationby actuator 44 as will be hereinafter described.

Actuator 46 is similarly concealed in the opposite side rail 26a and isoperatively connected to operate the knee and foot portions of thearticulated spring surface by means of a rigid connecting rod 56 and arigid linking arm 58 connected to knee section 22 proximate its pivotalconnection 23 with intermediate section 18.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 3 and 4, side rails 26 are generally U-shapedin configuration and when positioned to form the main frame 10 areoriented such that the opening 61 to the inner portion of the channelfaces downwardly.

Corner brackets 32-32a, as previously discussed are utilized to rigidlysecure side rails 26 to the head and foot frame assemblies 28 and 30 inrigid spaced relationship. Comer brackets 32-32a are similar inconstruction and are each fixed as by welding to leg members 12. Cornerbracket 32 fixed on head frame assembly 28 serves to conceal thepreviously mentioned pulley 36 and cable 34 passing thereover. Comerbracket 32a at the foot frame assembly 30 receives and secures rails26-26a and actuators 44 and 46 as will be discussed hereinafter. Similarreference numerals are therefore utilized in the following descriptionto delineate similar features thereof with additional reference to FIG.4. Referring to FIG. 3, the corner brackets at head frame 28 arerelatively thin in cross section and somewhat triangular in shape. Thebase 33 is welded to leg 12 and the top or apex 35 of the bracketextends outwardly from the leg. A channel portion 37 is formed by a pairof parallel flange like walls 41 extending generally perpendicular toleg 12 from base 33 to apex 35. An opening 68 extends laterally throughthe side of the bracket opening through the back wall of channel 37. Anarm 39 on bracket 32 at the head frame assembly extends downwardly fromthe lower wall of channel 37 to support pulley 36 over which cable 34 ispassed to the adjustable legs.

An elongated slot 64 is formed along one side of rail 26 and is adaptedto receive a stud member 66 which extends outwardly from one side of theactuator outer housing 62. As the outer housing 62 of the actuator andthe components supported therein are positioned within rail 26 stud 66extends through slot 64. As the frame is assembled, rails 26 arepositioned in channel 37 formed in corner brackets 32a. At the foot endof the bed stud 66 is positioned through opening 68 in corner bracket32a associated with foot section 24 where suitable fastening means as anut 70 and lock washer 71 secure rails 26 to the corner brackets and theactuator within the rail. The opposite end of rails 26 is secured tocorner brackets 32 associated with head frame 28 by similarlypositioning the rail end in channel 37 and securing in a conventionalmanner as by suitable nut and bolt fastening means 43. Similar fasteningmeans as a bolt 45 passing through the side rail of corner bracket 32and arm 39 forms a shaft upon which pulley 36 is rotatably mounted.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 7-11, the construction and operation ofthe actuator assemblies 44 and 46 will be described in detail. Theactuators are essentially identical in construction and in operation andare concealed within side rails 26 and 26a. The actuator assembliesinclude an elongated lead screw 60 to which crank arms 48 are attachedto effect relative rotation thereof. Lead screw 60 is fixed for rotationby crank arm 48 within an elongated fixed or outer housing member 62.The outer housing is generally rectangular in cross-sectionalconfiguration and is adapted to fit into the foot end of side rails 26.

The outer housing 62 is the relatively fixed portion of the actuatorassembly and includes a trunnion collar 72 fixed in the inner housing.The trunnion collar serves as a support means for the lead screw. Alocking pin 74 extends transversely through the lead screw at one sideof the trunnion collar while a bearing 76 positioned around the leadscrew abuts the opposite side of the trunnion collar to fix the leadscrew in place. Bearing 76 is retained on lead screw 60 by an elongatedcrank collar 78 secured to the lead screw by a locking pin 80 extendingtransversely through aligned openings in the crank collar and the leadscrew. Collar 78-is adapted to receive one end of crank arm 48 and isslotted in a conventional manner to cooperate with an elongated slot(not shown) provided in the end of crank arm 48 to slide and pivot abouta pin 82 to pivot downwardly for storage when not in use.

A follower member 84 is mounted for movement along the axial length oflead screw 60 within outer housing 62 in response to turning of crank 48(and lead screw 30). The follower member is mounted for sliding movementalong the length of lead screw 60 within outer housing 62. The followermember is generally channel-shaped corresponding closely to the innersurfaces of the outer housing member 30. An elongated threaded block 86is fixed at one end of the follower to move along lead screw withturning thereof to urge the follower 84 axially along the length of therail. Preferably, the threaded block 86 is molded of a lubriciousmaterial as for example nylon and is fixed with the follower member 84in a convenient manner as by tabs 88 bent inwardly from the side wallsof the follower member.

The opposite end of the follower is formed with a wall 90 to which thecable assembly 52 (FIGS. 7 and 8) or the rigid connecting rod 56 (FIGS.9 and are connected. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cable assemblyis secured at one end by a clip 94 engaging a ferrule 96 fixed at theend of the cable to abut wall 90. Tabs 98 formed inwardly and towardwall 90 engage and hold clip 94 in position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, connecting rod 56 which operates thecombined knee and foot sections 22 and 24, respectively, of thearticulated spring surface is secured to the follower member 84 at endwall 90 by means of a washer 100 and a pin 102 extending transverselythrough connecting rod 56.

The outermost end of lead screw 60 (the end opposite crank arm 48) isequipped with a stop collar 104 fixed to screw 60 to prevent inadvertentdisconnection of follower 84 from screw 60 when in its extendedposition.

The opposite end of cable 62 is equipped with a suitable fitting 106which is secured to the linking arm 54 associated with head section ofthe articulated spring surface (FIG. 5). The outermost end of rod 56 hasa turned end portion 108 by which the rod 56 is pivotally secured tolinking arm 58 associated with the knee section 22 of the articulatedspring surface 60 (FIG. 6). As will be appreciated, as knee section 22is raised, the end of foot section 24 which is pivoted at to the kneesection will also be raised since the end of foot section 24 issupported by pivot arms 110 (FIG. 1) which are adjustably connected tostud members 112 extending inwardly from the side wall of the side rails26. i

OPERATION When it is desired to vertically raise or lower the bed andits supporting framework, crank arm 42 is operated. Gear and pulleyassembly 48 acting in conjunction with cables 34 causes a relativemovement be tween leg sections 12 and 14 to thereby raise or lower theframework.

When it is desired to move head section 20 of the articulated springsurface 16, actuator 44 is operated by turning handle 48. Rotation ofhandle 48 causes a corresponding rotation of lead screw 60 containedwithin actuator 44 causing follower member 84 to move therealong therebyeither shortening or lengthening cable 52 passing over pulley 56 whichin turn moves rigid arm 54 to raise or lower the head section.Similarly, rotation of the handle 48 associated with actuator 46 causingthe follower 84 to extend or retract along the length of the actuatormoves rod 56 causing a corresponding movement in linking arm 58connected to knee section 22. As knee section 22 moves up or downdepending on the rotation of handle 48, the end of foot section 24hinged thereto will also be raised and follow therealong by pivoting at25 as previously described.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all of the aboveadjustment assemblies are concealed in the frame structure of thehospital bed so as to provide a compact and uncluttered appearance. Eachside frame 26 is secured to corner brackets 32-32a and each side railhouses an actuator assembly. When the comer brackets are secured to theside frames with the actuators secured therein a stable integraladjustable bed frame structure is formed which resembles a conventionalbed.

Those skilled in the art will of course readily appreciate the manyadvantages of the present invention over that shown in the prior art.Those so skilled will also recognize that many modifications may be madeand it is intended that the equivalent arrangements be covered unlessthe following claims by their wording expressly state otherwise.

The embodimnts of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as fol-'- lows.

1. In an adjustable bed having a supportive framework including a pairof generally parallel horizontal rail members; head and foot membershaving legs for supporting said rail members; an articulated surfacehaving at least one adjustable section supported on said rail members;and actuating means for pivotally moving said adjustable sectionrelative to said rail members; the improvement comprising: at least oneof said rail members forming a channel extending along the length of thebed; said actuating means including a first member positioned in saidchannel and a second member also positioned in said channel and engagingand being extendible and retractable with respect to said first memberalong at least a portion of the length of said channel, means forextending and retracting said second member within said channel withrespect to said first member; and connecting means extending through atleast a portion of said channel for connecting said second member tosaid adjustable section to pivot said section with respect to said railmembers.

2. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes alead screw fixed for rotation with respect to said first member; meansfor rotating said lead screw; and means connecting said second member tosaid lead screw for axial movement along said lead screw with rotationthereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjustable section of saidarticulated surface is pivotally mounted to said rail members formovement with respect thereto proximate said head member and furtherincluding a linking arm fixed on said adjustable section adapted forconnection to said connecting means; said connecting means including aflexible cable member connected to said second member of said actuatingmeans and extending along said channel, said cable member beingconnected to said linking arm whereby movement of said second memberwith respect to said first member along said lead screw exerts a forceon said linking arm urging said adjustable section to pivot with respectto said rail members.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said actuating means is positionedin said rail member adjacent said foot member and further includingpulley means concealed in said rail member intermediate said linking armand said head member, and wherein said cable means extends along saidchannel toward said head member, passing around said pulley forconnection to said linking arm whereby rotation of said lead screwretracting said second member urges said adjustable section to pivotupwardly at said head member.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjustable section of saidarticulated surface is pivotally mounted to said rail members formovement with respect thereto proximate said foot member and furtherincluding a linking arm on said adjustable section adapted forconnection to said connecting means; said connecting means including arigid member having one end connected to said second member of saidactuating means; the other end of said rigid member extending outwardlyfrom said channel and pivotally connected to said linking arm on saidadjustable section whereby movement of said second member with respectto said outer frame along said lead screw exerts a force on said linkingarm urging said adjustable section to pivot with respect to said railmembers.

6. The bed of claim 1 and further including means for verticallyadjusting said bed, said adjusting means including said legs havingvertically movable portions thereon; cable means having one endconnected to said movable portions; a means positioned at one end ofsaid bed connected to the other end of said cable means for operatingsaid cable means to extend and retract said movable portions; means forguiding said cable means, said guide means including bracket memberssecuring said rail members to at least one of said head and footmembers, and pulley means concealed in said bracket members, said cablemeans passing over said pulley means and into operative engagement withsaid movable portion, said bracket members concealing said pulley andcable means from view.

7. In an adjustable bed having a framework including a pair of generallyparallel horizontal rail members; head and foot members having legs forsupporting said rail members; an articulated surface having a seatsupport section fixed to said rail members; adjustable head and footsupport sections pivotally connected to said seat support and saidrails; and actuating means for moving said adjustable head and footsupport sections relative to said rail members; the improvementcomprising: said rail members each having a channel formed thereinextending along the length of the bed; actuator means concealed in saidchannels in each of 8 said rails; each of said actuator means includinga first member positioned in one of said channels and a second memberalso positioned within'said channel and engaging and being extendibleand retractable with respect to said first member along at least aportion of the length of said respective channel; means for extendingand retracting each of said second members with respect to saidrespective first members within said channels; and separate connectingmeans for engaging each of said second members, each of said connectingmeans extending at least partially through one of said channels; one ofsaid connecting means which engages one of said second members beingoperatively connected to said head support section and the other of saidconnecting means which engages the other of said second members beingconnected to said foot support section.

8. The adjustable bed of claim 7 wherein each of said actuating meansincludes a lead screw rotatably fixed for rotation with respect to saidfirst member; means for rotating said lead screw; and means connectingsaid second member to said lead screw for axial movement along said leadscrew with rotation thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 and further including a linking arm on saidhead support section, said one connecting means including flexible meansextending along and within said channel and connecting said one secondmember with said linking ann whereby movement of said one second memberwith respect to its respective first member along said lead screw withsaid means for extending and retracting said second member exerts aforce on said linking arm urging said head section to pivot about saidseat support section with respect to said rail members.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said other connecting meansincludes a rigid member having one end connected to said other secondmember and having its other end extending outwardly from said channeland pivotally connected to said foot section.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least said actuator meansincluding said one second member is positioned in one of said channelsadjacent said foot member and further includes pulley means concealed insaid rail member intermediate said linking arm and said head member;said flexible cable means extending along said channel toward said headmember and passing around said pulley for connection to said linking armwhereby retraction of said one second member of said one actuator meansurges said head support section to pivot about said seat support sectionand upwardly adjacent said head member.

12. The bed of claim 7 and further including means for verticallyadjusting said bed, said adjusting means including said legs havingvertically movable portions thereon; cable means having one endconnected to said movable portions; a means positioned at one end ofsaid bed connected to the other end of said cable means for operatingsaid cable means to extend and retract said movable portions; means forguiding said cable means, said guide means including bracket memberssecuring said rail members to at least one of said head and foot membersand pulley means concealed in said bracket members; said cable meanspassing over said pulley means and into operative engagement with saidmovable portion, said bracket members concealing said pulley and cablemeans from view.

13. The adjustable bed of claim 2 wherein said first member includes anelongated housing secured within said channel and having a pair ofopposing open ends;

extending from one end of said channel through one of said open ends ofsaid housing; said second member in-' cluding a channel member havingtwo ends and means for attaching said connecting means to one of saidends, said channel member being telescoped within the other of said endsof said housing; said means connecting said second member and lead screwincluding a threaded block secured within said channel member adjacentthe other of said two channel member ends and receiving said lead screwwhereby rotation of said lead screw moves said threaded block, channelmember and connecting means axially in said channel with respect to saidlead screw.

14. The adjustable bed of claim 8 wherein said first member of eachactuator means includes an elongated housing secured within said channeland having a pair of opposing open ends; collar means within saidhousing for rotatably supporting said lead screw in a fixed positionwithin said housing; said means for rotating said lead screw including acrank handle secured to one end of said lead screw and extending fromone end of said channel through one of said open ends of said housing;said second member of each actuator means including a channel memberhaving two ends and means for attaching said connecting means to one ofsaid ends, said channel member being telescoped within the other of saidends of said housing; said means connecting said second member and leadscrew including a threaded block secured within said channel memberadjacent the other of said two channel member ends and receiving saidlead screw whereby rotation of said lead screw moves said threadedblock, channel member and connecting means axially in said channel withrespect to said lead screw.

15. The adjustable bed of claim 11 wherein said actuator means includingsaid other second member is positioned in the other of said channelsadjacent said foot member; said other connecting means including a rigidmember having one end connected to said other second member and havingits other end extending outwardly from said other channel and pivotallyconnected to said foot section.

1. In an adjustable bed having a supportive framework including a pairof generally parallel horizontal rail members; head and foot membershaving legs for supporting said rail meMbers; an articulated surfacehaving at least one adjustable section supported on said rail members;and actuating means for pivotally moving said adjustable sectionrelative to said rail members; the improvement comprising: at least oneof said rail members forming a channel extending along the length of thebed; said actuating means including a first member positioned in saidchannel and a second member also positioned in said channel and engagingand being extendible and retractable with respect to said first memberalong at least a portion of the length of said channel, means forextending and retracting said second member within said channel withrespect to said first member; and connecting means extending through atleast a portion of said channel for connecting said second member tosaid adjustable section to pivot said section with respect to said railmembers.
 2. The adjustable bed of claim 1 wherein said actuating meansincludes a lead screw fixed for rotation with respect to said firstmember; means for rotating said lead screw; and means connecting saidsecond member to said lead screw for axial movement along said leadscrew with rotation thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein saidadjustable section of said articulated surface is pivotally mounted tosaid rail members for movement with respect thereto proximate said headmember and further including a linking arm fixed on said adjustablesection adapted for connection to said connecting means; said connectingmeans including a flexible cable member connected to said second memberof said actuating means and extending along said channel, said cablemember being connected to said linking arm whereby movement of saidsecond member with respect to said first member along said lead screwexerts a force on said linking arm urging said adjustable section topivot with respect to said rail members.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said actuating means is positioned in said rail member adjacentsaid foot member and further including pulley means concealed in saidrail member intermediate said linking arm and said head member, andwherein said cable means extends along said channel toward said headmember, passing around said pulley for connection to said linking armwhereby rotation of said lead screw retracting said second member urgessaid adjustable section to pivot upwardly at said head member.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjustable section of said articulatedsurface is pivotally mounted to said rail members for movement withrespect thereto proximate said foot member and further including alinking arm on said adjustable section adapted for connection to saidconnecting means; said connecting means including a rigid member havingone end connected to said second member of said actuating means; theother end of said rigid member extending outwardly from said channel andpivotally connected to said linking arm on said adjustable sectionwhereby movement of said second member with respect to said outer framealong said lead screw exerts a force on said linking arm urging saidadjustable section to pivot with respect to said rail members.
 6. Thebed of claim 1 and further including means for vertically adjusting saidbed, said adjusting means including said legs having vertically movableportions thereon; cable means having one end connected to said movableportions; a means positioned at one end of said bed connected to theother end of said cable means for operating said cable means to extendand retract said movable portions; means for guiding said cable means,said guide means including bracket members securing said rail members toat least one of said head and foot members, and pulley means concealedin said bracket members, said cable means passing over said pulley meansand into operative engagement with said movable portion, said bracketmembers concealing said pulley and cable means from view.
 7. In anadjustable bed having a framework including a pair of generalLy parallelhorizontal rail members; head and foot members having legs forsupporting said rail members; an articulated surface having a seatsupport section fixed to said rail members; adjustable head and footsupport sections pivotally connected to said seat support and saidrails; and actuating means for moving said adjustable head and footsupport sections relative to said rail members; the improvementcomprising: said rail members each having a channel formed thereinextending along the length of the bed; actuator means concealed in saidchannels in each of said rails; each of said actuator means including afirst member positioned in one of said channels and a second member alsopositioned within said channel and engaging and being extendible andretractable with respect to said first member along at least a portionof the length of said respective channel; means for extending andretracting each of said second members with respect to said respectivefirst members within said channels; and separate connecting means forengaging each of said second members, each of said connecting meansextending at least partially through one of said channels; one of saidconnecting means which engages one of said second members beingoperatively connected to said head support section and the other of saidconnecting means which engages the other of said second members beingconnected to said foot support section.
 8. The adjustable bed of claim 7wherein each of said actuating means includes a lead screw rotatablyfixed for rotation with respect to said first member; means for rotatingsaid lead screw; and means connecting said second member to said leadscrew for axial movement along said lead screw with rotation thereof. 9.The apparatus of claim 8 and further including a linking arm on saidhead support section, said one connecting means including flexible meansextending along and within said channel and connecting said one secondmember with said linking arm whereby movement of said one second memberwith respect to its respective first member along said lead screw withsaid means for extending and retracting said second member exerts aforce on said linking arm urging said head section to pivot about saidseat support section with respect to said rail members.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein said other connecting means includes arigid member having one end connected to said other second member andhaving its other end extending outwardly from said channel and pivotallyconnected to said foot section.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein atleast said actuator means including said one second member is positionedin one of said channels adjacent said foot member and further includespulley means concealed in said rail member intermediate said linking armand said head member; said flexible cable means extending along saidchannel toward said head member and passing around said pulley forconnection to said linking arm whereby retraction of said one secondmember of said one actuator means urges said head support section topivot about said seat support section and upwardly adjacent said headmember.
 12. The bed of claim 7 and further including means forvertically adjusting said bed, said adjusting means including said legshaving vertically movable portions thereon; cable means having one endconnected to said movable portions; a means positioned at one end ofsaid bed connected to the other end of said cable means for operatingsaid cable means to extend and retract said movable portions; means forguiding said cable means, said guide means including bracket memberssecuring said rail members to at least one of said head and foot membersand pulley means concealed in said bracket members; said cable meanspassing over said pulley means and into operative engagement with saidmovable portion, said bracket members concealing said pulley and cablemeans from view.
 13. The adjustable bed of claim 2 wherein said firstmember includes an elongated Housing secured within said channel andhaving a pair of opposing open ends; collar means within said housingfor rotatably supporting said lead screw in a fixed position within saidhousing; said means for rotating said lead screw including a crankhandle secured to one end of said lead screw and extending from one endof said channel through one of said open ends of said housing; saidsecond member including a channel member having two ends and means forattaching said connecting means to one of said ends, said channel memberbeing telescoped within the other of said ends of said housing; saidmeans connecting said second member and lead screw including a threadedblock secured within said channel member adjacent the other of said twochannel member ends and receiving said lead screw whereby rotation ofsaid lead screw moves said threaded block, channel member and connectingmeans axially in said channel with respect to said lead screw.
 14. Theadjustable bed of claim 8 wherein said first member of each actuatormeans includes an elongated housing secured within said channel andhaving a pair of opposing open ends; collar means within said housingfor rotatably supporting said lead screw in a fixed position within saidhousing; said means for rotating said lead screw including a crankhandle secured to one end of said lead screw and extending from one endof said channel through one of said open ends of said housing; saidsecond member of each actuator means including a channel member havingtwo ends and means for attaching said connecting means to one of saidends, said channel member being telescoped within the other of said endsof said housing; said means connecting said second member and lead screwincluding a threaded block secured within said channel member adjacentthe other of said two channel member ends and receiving said lead screwwhereby rotation of said lead screw moves said threaded block, channelmember and connecting means axially in said channel with respect to saidlead screw.
 15. The adjustable bed of claim 11 wherein said actuatormeans including said other second member is positioned in the other ofsaid channels adjacent said foot member; said other connecting meansincluding a rigid member having one end connected to said other secondmember and having its other end extending outwardly from said otherchannel and pivotally connected to said foot section.